I knew this book was going to get to me emotionally and honestly spiritually. Make sure you have your tissues on hand for this one because I don't care if you are a brand new reader or a long time reader of Lani Lynn Vale, this one is going to bring you to tears. It will redeem itself though so stick with it.
Ask Your Mom If I’m Real by Lani Lynn Vale
Series: The Heroes of the Dixie Wardens MC #8.5
Genres: Romantic Suspense

Dixie + Mary

Dixie met Mary in a bar in the middle of nowhere. He knew the moment she served him “whatever the hell she wanted to” that she was the one.

That day, he takes her from her abusive life and gives her everything she’s ever wanted.

For thirty-one years, they’re married. For thirty-one years, he worships the ground she walks on. For thirty-one years, she makes him the happiest man on the planet.

They have babies. They lose babies. They laugh and they love. They’ve fought and they’ve struggled.

But nothing prepares him for the day she leaves him. The day that his life ends, and he goes on existing, waiting for the day that he can join her again.

Join Dixie as he remembers the love of his life in this heartbreaking story that speaks of love and loss and finally, a happily ever after.

Jeremiah + Merriam

Jeremiah Dixon has a way with words.

In the professional hockey world, he’s known as Mr. Suave. The man who always says the right thing and can charm the pants off of anyone.

Of course, when a damsel in distress falls into his arms after practice, he can’t stop himself from pursuing her. Who wouldn’t instantly fall in love with a woman who looked like Merriam Kennedy did?

She was beautiful, fierce, and everything he’s ever wanted in a woman.

They fall in love with each other over wings and beer. But before he can get her number, she leaves and takes his heart with her.

As luck would have it, he runs into her a few days later. She’s still as beautiful as ever, with a sizable bruise on her face and defeat haunting her eyes.

He tries to break through her walls, but she’s adamant that she can make it on her own.

Until, that is, her abusive father threatens her baby girl. Then she has no other choice but to run into a blizzard on Christmas Eve to escape him. And she knows just where to go.

To him. Jeremiah Dixon—the man that her heart and soul know is the one meant to fix all the broken things inside of her.

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Also from the Author

Hail Mary , Quit Your Pitchin', Too Bad So Sad, Mess Me Up, Trash Talkin'

I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review

Two or three pages in and I felt like I hated Lani Lynn Vale. I even sent her a message on Instagram telling her. I was so angry but like I said I knew that Dixie’s story was going to be sad. If you have been a reader of the Dixie Wardens MC series you know he lost his wife years ago and this is their story.

I just wasn’t ready for it. I wasn’t ready for reality to hit me in the face. I love Dixie. He’s one of the side characters that always makes you smile. He is larger than life in a way that makes you wish you had a Dixie in your life. The women always describe him as looking like Santa.

That being said the story of Dixie and Mary ….. just wow! I love how they met. It was just so Dixie. The fact that all it took was a look makes the hopeless romantic in me just sing with joy. Their entire story was both joyful and sad. By the end I was in tears but also a bit hopeful. A love like Dixie and Mary never happens for some people and for those that it does only ends one way.

I spent a good ten minutes having the worst sort of ugly cry before I started Jeremiah and Merriam’s story. It was just the right amount of uplifting to counterbalance the first part of the book. Also, Lani Lynn Vale, I saw what you did! It could not have been better!

Jeremiah is a hockey star with plenty of money to burn and a traumatic family history. Merriam is struggling to get out from under her abusive father. She has the cutest little girl and I love the connection Jeremiah has to them both instantly.

He knew they were people who needed to be in his life and that he would help any way he could. His family and hockey friends are all wonderful. I love how his family is all up in each other’s business all the time. If you have siblings you know how that can be. It’s just how siblings are, they know no boundaries.

I also love that their story takes place in Oklahoma which is a different location for us long time readers. Usually we are in Texas, Alabama,or Louisiana with the occasional trip to Florida. So this was new territory.

I take back the maybe hating LLV because I love Jeremiah, Merriam, and Anleigh so much. I love what they represent even more. While part one hits you with all the sadness and feels of pain , part two hits you with hope, joy, and the reminder that love is eternal. This is quite simply the perfect book to remind us of all those we miss on Christmas and all those we have yet to met. It is the perfect end to the year.

More in Series

If you haven’t read any of Lani Lynn Vale’s books yet then this is the perfect series to start with. While it is not her first series it does contain many characters that you will read about in future series. There are so many wonderful books in this series. it is the one series that is hard for me to pick just one or two books that I like the best.

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